Motobecane Serial Number Decoder

OK people, I've only got another 500 posts remaining, so I've decided to make an attempt at decrypting one last serial number format. It seems Motobecane's format has been giving people fits, so I'm willing to give it a shot, if you want to play along. Most of you already know the drill. Post pictures of your Motobecane (full drive side and detail pictures of major components, tubing decal, headbadge and serial numbers).

Provide as much info as possible on the components including brand, model and date codes (when available). Refer to the components page of the Vintage-Trek website if you need a primer on component date codes. Bonus points if you already know the year. NOTE: Motobecane often have several sets of numbers on the bottom bracket shell. I need ALL of them, as we don't which which holds the key to dating. I'll be tabulating and analyzing the data. A summary of the findings will be posted here (i.e.

I've checked out those exact sites back in 2009 when I originally posted my photos of the Super Mirage. Comparing the catalog photos and spec sheets,. 1950s Motobecane Carousel Motorcycle; 1950s Kid’s Tricycle with Steering Wheel (French). BEESTON HUMBER FRAME NUMBER DATING. ELSWICK HOPPER FRAME NUMBER DATING. The following dated bicycle frame numbers from the Singer Car Club (not guaranteed): 1903 – 142069.

Hopefully, it will as successful as the other, similar threads (Bianchi, Centurion, Fuji, Miyata, Nishiki, etc.). Great idea and a noble mission. (Where's the little 'saluting' smilie?) My Grand Record is almost certainly 1974; it has the original Pat 74 Campy RD. (Okay, 'almost certainly' original, take it up with my friend Bill Occam.) SN, as found on the rear non-drive DO: 2993974. There's a single, obscure letter B or possibly a numeral 6 or 8 on the bottom of the BB shell.

It would be really neat if the 974 referred to the date, but no way is this that easy! Here are some pics, 'as found' and current. Tubing is 531 '3 Main Tubes.' Derailleurs are NR (pat 74), Cranks TA, pedals Atom, brakes Weinmann, hubs Maillard 'red label' Competition with Weinmann clinchers. Bars, stem, seat and seatpost had been changed out and Suntour barcons added.

I have put the 'correct' NR shifters and a Nitto 'Pearl' stem and bars on, and a recent Brooks Team Pro on an SR LaPrade seatpost. Also Tektro aero levers for the sake of my old, sore hands, and have been trying different pedals, lately 80s Specialized Touring. Most recently added new wheels, Campy HF hubs with modern Sun rims. My GR has a Swiss thread TA BB, everything else is English sizing. I started a thread specifically for the Grand Record, and several people contributed SNs and pictures.the SNs were all over the place. I also picked up a later 70s Mirage mixte for my daughter; thought I had the SN noted but apparently not; I'll add that later. This is a 1970-'72 Grand record.

Nuovo Record shifting, Normandy 'red label' hubs, Fiamme rims, Stronglight seatpost, competition head set and bottom bracket. Stronglight 49A cranks and Universal 61 calipers.

The pedals, brake levers and stem were changed. The handlebars are still original Pivo.

The saddle is not original, Ideal 90 Inside right drop 64316 Outside left drop 6 (2 or 8) 73418 by, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr And we have the 1978 Le champ frame. Original color was gold. Nine tubes Reynolds 531, Bocoma competition long point lugs and Huret dropouts. On the BB shell 42(8 or 3)6898-883 by, on Flickr by, on Flickr by, on Flickr. Well, it really interesting to see the variation on the serial number format. Some are on the dropouts (both sides no less), some are the bottom bracket. Some have five characters, most are seven (for the base number).

One has a supplemental set of three characters and another has two supplemental sets of three characters. Initial analysis indicates that most appear to follow a simple sequential numbering arrangement. There are two major exceptions. First is rootboy's Team Champion, which is also the sole sample with a five character number. However, this may be indicative that the Team Champions were made in a separate division.

The other exception is Frank's Grand Record which starts with a '6', while others appear to be pre-1979 and don't get above a '4'. Of course, with the limited number of samples at hand, it's too early to make any definitive statements but I just wanted to pop in and thank the contributors and let them know I am working on this.

Lugnut, I've got your serial number. I found it while scrounging some other threads for Moto S/N. I bought a 1972 Le Champion this week from the original owner. He bought it new in 1973.

The only non original parts on it are bar end shifters and he added a third ring to the crankset. He is going to send me the original shifters, frame pump, and sales slip. Unfortunately for me, he painted over the teal and white with a red & black scheme and I am going to have to do a repaint. I dated the bike by the 72 patent on the RD and the 1972 catalog which shows the teal and white bike without chrome fork tips, which matches mine perfectly. There are numbers on the BB that are engraved and I suspect are the original owners drivers license number - so I won't be posting them. The numbers on the ND rear dropout are: 1419322 My Le Champion has the plastic, riveted on, head badge. Here is my recently acquired early 70's Grand Record.

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